San Diego International Airport (SAN) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) celebrated the airline’s first nonstop flight between San Diego and Schiphol International Airport (AMS) in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Before boarding the Boeing 787-9 aircraft, KLM passengers were treated to inaugural festivities in SAN’s Terminal 2 gate area as executives from the airline and the airport officially launched the beginning of this new route with a ribbon cutting.
KLM is SAN’s seventh foreign-flag international carrier and will offer three weekly flights between San Diego and Amsterdam on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
“We are thrilled to welcome KLM to SAN and celebrate the inaugural flight to Amsterdam,” said Kimberly Becker, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “This new nonstop service to this beautiful city known for its iconic canals and world-class museums is now the 10th international destination offered from SAN and will also expand options for easy connections to other European cities from San Diego. This new flight will help serve the strong demand from both business and leisure passengers for flights to Europe, which is up more than 30 percent compared to last year.”
“The new direct flight from San Diego to Amsterdam is a major win for our regional economy, supporting jobs, tourism and international business and investment opportunities,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This connection was years in the making, helped by the strong relationships we built with KLM during our 2022 trade mission to the Netherlands. It’s a clear example of how international engagement delivers real, lasting benefits for San Diego.”
The new year-round route to Amsterdam will expand nonstop access to Europe from SAN, which already offers direct flights to London and Munich. Passengers flying on KLM from SAN will now have access to KLM’s entire network of over 160 destinations, connecting at its hub in AMS. KLM is also part of SkyTeam Alliance which allows for more travel options, coordinated schedules, and shared benefits with 19 other international airlines’ loyalty programs.
“Launching our new direct route between San Diego and Amsterdam is a significant step for KLM, expanding our transatlantic network and linking two dynamic cities,” said Bas Brouns, CFO and Managing Director at KLM. “San Diego is a gateway to Southern California and a hub of innovation and culture, making it an important destination for both business and leisure travelers. This meets our customers’ travel needs and supports our growth plans in North America. Together with Air France and our partner Delta Air Lines, we offer a wide range of destinations across North America. We remain committed to delivering seamless, high-quality travel experiences across the Atlantic.”
